AS MARCH began, Pembrokeshire woke up to find a thick blanket of snow had fallen.

The Beast from the East arrived in the 'wild west' on St David’s Day, March 1, and after a day of near-constant snowfall the county ground to a halt.

While other parts of the UK faced a shut-down for days or even more than a week, the snow in Pembrokeshire last only a day.

Families revelled in the streets, a man skied down High Street, Haverfordwest in the dead of night, and emergency services and council workers were out in force across the county.

After the snow came news of fire, as it emerged a shed at Saundersfoot Cricket Club was set ablaze in an arson attack.

The club’s secretary, Roger Stanford, described the incident as “worrying”.

“Vandalism has been ongoing on the sports field and the changing rooms for years, but this time it has taken quite a sinister turn,” he told the Western Telegraph.

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The much-discussed plan to increase council tax by 12.5 per cent in Pembrokeshire was overwhelmingly backed by the county council in March.

“The whole Medium Term Financial plan period is immensely challenging but in 12 months’ time I want to be able to show you hard evidence that our plans are working,” said Cllr Bob Kilmister.

“Rome was not built in a day or even the 287 days I have so far had in this role.”

Shocking news came from just across the border in Carmarthenshire in mid-March when police announced a woman had been killed at her farm between St Clears and Laugharne.

Fiona Scourfield, 54, was later found to have been murdered by her 17-year-old stepson Rueben Brathwaite, whose name was made public following his conviction in September.

Ms Scourfield’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as a “loving and caring person who will be remembered for her kindness, especially to animals.”

The Pembrokeshire Coast brought home the accolade of top UK holiday destination in a national poll this month.

The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018 named Pembrokeshire as the top destination in the UK, describing it as a place with a “wealth of natural attractions” and a “haven for marine life.”

Tragic news came from Cardigan on Monday, March 19, when a two-year-old girl died after her parents’ car was pulled from the River Teifi.

Kiara Moore would have celebrated her third birthday a week after the horrific accident.

Her father, Jet Moore thanked the public and emergency services for their help and described his daughter as an “incredible, happy young girl who lived, I hope, a great adventurous fun life.”

March ended with news that an important service which provided hot meals to people across Pembrokeshire would end in October.

The Royal Voluntary Service’s meals on wheels scheme delivered meals to the frail, vulnerable and disabled.

The service was later replaced by a series of small local businesses and other schemes run in the community, with an event showcasing different providers at County Hall taking place in June.